Ojai City Council Regular Meeting

Pickleball 90-Day Update

• Staff reported that new courts reduced demand and noise at City Hall while daily cleaning continues.
• Residents expressed mixed views on remaining noise issues versus improved court availability.
• Automatic locks were rejected as impractical, and a sound wall was deferred to future capital planning.

Boards and Commissions Handbook

• Staff presented a new comprehensive handbook to clarify commissioner roles and responsibilities.
• Discussion covered whether draft review processes were sufficient before adoption.
• The Council approved the updated handbook to guide future commission conduct.
• Training sessions regarding the new rules and Brown Act compliance are scheduled for March.

Commission Appointment Rules and Parks & Rec Chair

• Council debated amending cumbersome appointment ordinances versus filling immediate vacancies.
• The Parks and Recreation Commission Chair was replaced by the Vice Chair to facilitate operations.
• Broader changes to appointment rules were deferred for future consideration.

Resolution to Record Lien

• Staff recommended a lien for unpaid penalties totaling over one hundred thousand dollars.
• The property owner requested leniency citing financial hardship and immediate cessation of rentals.
• The Council approved a reduced lien amount with a twelve-month payment plan.
• The lien secures the debt and allows for foreclosure if payments cease.

• Here is a summary of the Ojai City Council meeting transcript:

Item 5: Pickleball 90-Day Update

• Staff Report: The Public Works crew cleans the courts daily. Non-city items have been removed, and signs updated with new hours. A "blue list" of recommended paddles was posted, though paddle color is not strictly mandated. New courts at Soule Park and Lake Casitas have reduced usage and demand at City Hall. Automatic locks were deemed too expensive and impractical. A sound wall is under consideration but requires a roof to be effective and would be part of a future Capital Improvement Program (CIP) discussion in April or May.
• Discussion: Council noted that court usage has dropped significantly compared to previous overcrowding. Staff confirmed they have observed the courts empty frequently in recent months.
• Public Comment: Opinions were mixed. Some residents complained that noise violates the city ordinance's mission statement despite decibel readings, urging data collection. Pickleball players thanked the city for new courts, noting that demand and noise have significantly decreased with more options available. One resident expressed frustration that the issue remains under discussion despite the passage of Measure O.

Item 6: Boards and Commissions Handbook

• Staff Report: Staff proposed replacing the existing handbook with a new, comprehensive version based on the City Manager’s experience in a previous city. It serves as a "rules of the road" guide for commissioners regarding roles and responsibilities. A training session on the handbook and the Brown Act is scheduled for March 18th and 19th.
• Public Comment: One commissioner noted the process for input was unclear but found the document user-friendly. Another member argued that commissioners should have reviewed the draft before adoption, though others supported the update as a necessary clarification.
• Outcome: The Council moved to adopt the new handbook. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 7: Commission Appointment Rules and Parks & Rec Chair

• Staff Report: The current appointment process requires a nominating committee (Mayor, rotating Council member, and Commission Chair) to unanimously agree on nominees. Staff noted this can be cumbersome.
• Discussion: Council members debated whether to amend the ordinances regarding appointment rules or simply address the current vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission. While some found the current process difficult, others felt it generally works except in high-volume situations.
• Outcome: The Council voted to replace the current Parks and Rec Chair with the Vice Chair (Sage) to facilitate filling vacant seats immediately. The Council deferred making broader changes to the appointment ordinances. The motion passed.

Item 8: Resolution to Record Lien (Short-Term Rental Violations)

• Staff Report: A resolution was presented to place a lien on the property at 414 Buena Vista Drive for unpaid penalties and disgorgement of rents totaling $100,633 due to 19 verified short-term rental violations. Staff had sent certified mail to nine addresses, all of which were returned.
• Public Comment: The property owner's attorney requested leniency, citing a lack of received notice, financial hardship due to the Palisades fire, and immediate cessation of rentals upon learning of the violation. The owner appeared via Zoom to explain his situation.
• Discussion: Staff had previously offered a reduced payment plan ($69,699 over 12 months) which was unsigned. Council discussed the balance between enforcement and compassion.
• Outcome: The Council voted to approve the lien for the reduced amount of $69,699 with a 12-month payment plan. The lien secures the debt in case the property is sold. If payments stop, the lien can be foreclosed. The motion passed.

Council Reports

• Mayor Gilman: Announced the restart of the City of Ojai Youth Council, which recently held its first meeting with 20 students from five schools.
• Council Member Whitman: Invited the owner of Olive Valley Organics to present at a future meeting regarding their green waste diversion operation.
• City Manager: Confirmed that public questions from the recent Cabin Village town hall will be addressed, with some answers available in the event video and others to be finalized soon.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned.